Locking cookware article

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of the present invention includes a cookware article comprising a handle, two opposable surfaces, a detachable hinge, a lifting handle, and a means for locking the opposable surfaces. Another embodiment consists of the aforementioned article wherein the means for locking is comprised of: a stationary sleeve with a second handle positioned at the end, a stationary pin with a positioning collar, a semi-circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pin and shoulder stop wherein said semi-circular collar is interlocked with said stationary pin, a round shaft accommodating lateral movement limiting rings, wherein said shaft is inserted through said stationary sleeve, wherein said stationary sleeve is attached to one opposing cookware surface. Another embodiment includes the use of a second handle to lift one opposing cookware surface away from the other opposing cookware surface. Another embodiment includes a circular collar instead of a semi-circular collar. Another embodiment further includes a return spring in the means for locking. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a means for locking wherein the circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pin and two shoulder stops, wherein one of said shoulder stop limits movement of said shaft in the counter-clockwise direction and the other said shoulder stop limits movement of said shaft in the clockwise direction instead of the semi-circular collar. Another variation of this embodiment further consists of a second handle which can rotate the range between approximately 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Another embodiment of the present invention further includes a feature wherein the means for locking is detachable from the cookware.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/456,740 filed Mar. 21, 2003 and U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/481,969, filed Jan. 31, 2004, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cookware, andmore specifically cookware that have handles and which interlock morethan one sections or portions of the cookware.

Most varieties and styles of cookware use handles and some of thesecooking apparatuses use locking features to lock the lid or the topportion of the cookware to the base or one opposable surface to another.Most existing cooking wares that employ locking features are generallydifficult to use because they require the cook to use two hands tooperate the lock. For example, some pots and pans found in the prior arthave lockable lids with snap down locking handles on each side of thepot. In these items, the locks are integrated into the pot handles andthe pots require the cook to separately lock and unlock each side of thepot in order to use the locking feature properly. The handles aredesigned to stay cool on the stovetop and are generally made of phenolicmaterials.

In general, high heat is bad for non stick surfaces. Cookware in theprior art comes in a variety of types of non-stick surfaces such asTeflon, but degradation of the chemicals into fumes is becoming known asa hazard to cooks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention includes a cookware articlecomprising a handle, two opposable surfaces, a detachable hinge, alifting handle, and a means for locking the opposable surfaces. Anotherembodiment consists of the aforementioned article wherein the means forlocking is comprised of: a stationary sleeve with a second handlepositioned at the end, a stationary pin with a positioning collar, asemi-circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pin andshoulder stop wherein said semi-circular collar is interlocked with saidstationary pin, a round shaft accommodating lateral movement limitingrings, wherein said shaft is inserted through said stationary sleeve,wherein said stationary sleeve is attached to one opposing cookwaresurface.

Another embodiment includes the use of a second handle to lift oneopposing cookware surface away from the other opposing cookware surface.

Another embodiment includes a circular collar instead of a semi-circularcollar.

Another embodiment further includes a return spring in the means forlocking.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a means for lockingwherein the circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pinand two shoulder stops, wherein one of said shoulder stop limitsmovement of said shaft in the counter-clockwise direction and the othersaid shoulder stop limits movement of said shaft in the clockwisedirection instead of the semi-circular collar.

Another variation of this embodiment further consists of a second handlewhich can rotate the range between approximately 20 degrees and 60degrees.

Another embodiment of the present invention further includes a featurewherein the means for locking is detachable from the cookware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be more readily apparent from the following description,when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cookware article with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cookware article with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cookware article with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cookware article with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the slotted component ofthe detachable hinge C of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tongued component ofthe detachable hinge F of the present invention;

FIG. 8. is a side exploded view of the hinge assembly joined of anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of embodiment of the cooking surface with sidepour spouts AA of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a locking cookware articlewhich can be used in conjunction with a stovetop burner and whichsimulates some of the cooking characteristics of a Dutch oven. It cantake the form of a covered pan, skillet or even a conventional oven. Ithas natural grip on a handle, a detachable hinge, a second rotatinghandle for lifting and securing components, cooking surfaces areconstructed of a material that retains as well as distributes heatefficiently, and as a result, it takes less time to cook and is moreenergy efficient than other cooking methods.

It is preferred that the opposing cooking surfaces are alternatelyreheated by periodically rotating each component over the heat source.However, another suitable method of utilizing the properties of theapparatus would be to forgo the rotating of the device on the heatsource. It is preferred that the components are unlocked and separatedwith the bottom component on the heat source. However, it is possible toutilize the locking mechanism and separate the components with the topcomponent positioned on the heat source. One type of food that can becooked in the cookware article is frozen food. However, other non-frozenfoods such as meats, vegetables, garlic, popcorn, sandwiches, and othersmay also be cooked in the cookware apparatus.

The cooking process is accelerated as a result of the heated topcomponent in close proximity to the food, radiating heat down upon thefood with contact cooking from the bottom, and also because the heat isalso applied to the top component when the cookware article is flipped.The top component absorbs heat from the bottom component and can beconstructed of a material that retains and distributes heat efficiently.Both cooking surfaces can be made of a material that retains anddistributes heat efficiently such as hard anodized aluminum, but anysuitable material will suffice for the purpose of the invention. Thecookware article works more efficiently when the dissipated heat on thetop component is replenished frequently with flipping. A further featureof the cookware article is that when it is separated into two cookingsurface components, each component can be used as stand alone cookwaresuch as skillets or hot plates.

The height of the side walls of the cooking surfaces in one embodimentof the cookware article is approximately 1 inch. Each cookwarecontributes one inch to create a cooking chamber that is 2 inches indiameter. Any suitable wall height of the cookware components willsuffice for the purpose of the invention, and ½ to 2 inches will be apreferred range in most circumstances. Each component can be of adifferent height to suit the needs of the user. It is preferred that thecooking components are round in shape.

It is preferred that the cooking surfaces are made of a material thatretains and distributes heat efficiently such as hard anodized aluminum.However, any suitable material will suffice for the purpose of theinvention. It is preferred that the height of the side walls of thecooking surfaces is approximately 1 inch creating a cooking chamber thatis 2 inches wide. However, any suitable wall height will suffice for thepurpose of the invention, and ½ to 2 inches will be a preferred range inmost circumstances. It is preferred that the cooking components areround in shape, however any suitable shape will suffice for the purposeof the invention, including shapes that feature pour spouts. Further, itis preferred that the opposing cooking surfaces have matching shapes. Itis preferred that the overall weight of the apparatus is as light aspossible. The preferred weight for the cookware article is approximately3½ pounds, a comfortable working weight, however any suitable weightwill suffice for the purpose of the invention, and 2 to 5½ pounds willbe the preferred range of weight for most circumstances. It is preferredthat the cooking surfaces have a non-stick coating such as Teflon, butany suitable coating will suffice for the purpose of the invention.

In another embodiment, the cooking surfaces have no coating. In anotherembodiment the hinge mechanism is detachable for convenience in bothpre-heating and cleaning. Any suitable detachable hinge will suffice forthe purpose of the invention. It is preferable that the hinge mechanismstays interlocked until the cooking surfaces are at a 90 degree angle ofeach other. Any suitable angle will suffice for the purpose of theinvention, with 80 degrees to 110 degrees the preferred range in mostcircumstances.

The opposing cooking surfaces can be alternately reheated byperiodically rotating each component over the heat source. However,another suitable method of utilizing the properties of the apparatuswould be to forgo the rotating of the device on the heat source, inwhich case the components of the embodiment are unlocked and separatedwith the bottom component, the top component or both components on oneor more sources of heat. The advantage with having two locked and joinedcooking components is that a cooking chamber is created that radiatesheat from both the top and the bottom while cooking with direct heatfrom the bottom component.

The means for locking in one embodiment consists of a locking pin with apositioning collar that interlocks with a circular collar with a latchpin and 2 rotation limiting shoulder stops, attached to a round shaftwith lateral movement limiting retaining rings, inserted through astationary sleeve with a handle on the end. It is preferred that thehandle serves a dual purpose, having the capability to lift the topcomponent, and by rotating the handle, the additional capability ofengaging and disengaging the locking mechanism. However, any suitablelifting handle that incorporates the function of a locking mechanismwill suffice for the purpose of the invention. The lifting handle can bemade of a heat resistant phenolic material for comfort, but any suitablematerial will suffice for the purpose of the invention.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout several views, FIG. 1 is aside view of a cookware article with an embodiment of the presentinvention in its ready to cook position. It includes two opposingcooking surfaces (A&E), a handle(B), a detachable hinge mechanism(C&F),and a lifting/lock actuating handle(H) and a latch pin(J) of the presentinvention.

The cookware article is secured together by the hinge and lockingapparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cookware article with anembodiment of the present invention with a hinge assembly connected andincludes two opposing cooking surfaces (A&E), a handle (B), a detachablehinge mechanism (C&F), a locking pin (D), a lifting/lock actuatinghandle (H), a latch pin (J) and a upper shoulder stop (O).

In one embodiment, both cooking surface components are placed onseparate stove top burners with flames on high for preheating. Afterapproximately two minutes, frozen food is placed in the bottom componentA and the flame under the bottom component A is then lowered. The handleH is used to lift the top component E from the burner and the hinge F ofthe top component is placed into hinge C of the bottom component Ajoining the components A and E. Top component E is lowered onto bottomcomponent A. Locking pin J on component A is accommodated inside thesemi circular collar G of the locking apparatus.

Lifting handle H is rotated clockwise until the latch pin J abuts to thehandle H and this completed action secured bottom component A and topcomponent E together. A predetermined level of heat is applied to thebottom component A with a flame for an amount of time. To stir the foodinside the cookware article, the user grasps the handle B located on thebottom component A and rotates or flips the cookware article 180 degreesplacing the top component E on the heat source. This action is repeateduntil the food is cooked to a desired consistency and the heat isremoved. An alternative method to stir or agitate the food is to grasphandle B and shake vigorously with a back and forth motion. Yet anothermethod would be to unlock top component E, lift apart from component Aand manually stir the food found in component A. To stop cooking andseparate the cookware article, ensure that the bottom component A isclosest to the bottom heat source, rotate the lifting handle Hcounterclockwise until shoulder stop abuts the top component E. Thisunlocks the locking mechanism. With lifting handle H, lift top componentE away from bottom component A, disengage hinge F from hinge C, andseparate the components. The food can then be served from the bottomcomponent A. In another embodiment, the means for locking canadditionally be detachable from the cookware to aid with cleaning.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cookware article with an embodiment of thepresent invention, showing the cooking side of the bottom component A,including handle B, the slotted component of the detachable hinge Caffixed to cooking surface of bottom component A, the locking pin Daffixed to the cooking surface of component A and the positioning collarN.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cookware article with an embodiment of thepresent invention showing the cooking side of the top component, andincludes a lifting/lock actuating handle(H), a return spring(P), asleeve(I) affixed to cooking surface(E) a lower shoulder stop(U),acircular collar(G), and the tongued component of the detachable hinge(F)affixed to the cooking surface(E).

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing in detail the locking mechanism and includes a handle(H),attached to a shaft(K), with a return spring(P), a sleeve(I), 2 externalretaining rings(M), an upper shoulder stop(O), a lower shoulder stop(U),a latch pin(J), circular collar(G), a locking pin(D) and a positioningcollar(N).

In the aforementioned views, the locking apparatus utilizes a stationarypin with a positioning collar that interlocks with a semi-circularcollar with a rotation limiting latch pin and shoulder stop attached toa round shaft with lateral movement limiting retaining rings insertedthrough a stationary sleeve with a handle on the end. This handle servesthe dual purposes of both lifting the top component (the top opposingsurface of the cookware) and either engaging or disengaging the lockingmechanism. The handle can be made of any material suitable to cookwarethat is heat resistant.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the slotted component ofthe detachable hinge C of the present invention, and this embodimentincludes a rectangular slot Q, an upper surface R, the lower surface S,the mounting plate T and 2 mounting holes V.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the tongued component ofthe detachable hinge F of the present invention, and this embodimentincludes 2 shoulders W, an upper surface X and a support plate Y.

FIG. 8 is an side exploded view of an embodiment of the hinge assemblyjoined and his embodiment includes a slotted component C, a tonguedcomponent F, and a rounded end Z.

FIG. 9 is a side view of embodiment of the cooking surface with sidepour spouts AA of another embodiment of the present invention.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described by meansof specific embodiments and alternatives, it is to be understood thatnumerous changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it should beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited in any way except inaccordance with the appended claims and their equivalent

1. A cookware article comprising: a handle; two opposable surfaces; a detachable hinge; a lifting handle; and a means for locking said opposable surfaces.
 2. A cookware article of claim 1 wherein the means for locking is comprised of: a stationary sleeve with a second handle positioned at the end; a stationary pin with a positioning collar; a semi-circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pin and shoulder stop wherein said semi-circular collar is interlocked with said stationary pin; a round shaft accommodating lateral movement limiting rings; wherein said shaft is inserted through said stationary sleeve; and wherein said stationary sleeve is attached to one opposing cookware surface.
 3. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein said second handle is further used to lift one opposing cookware surface away from the other opposing cookware surface.
 4. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein said semi-circular collar is a circular collar.
 5. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein said means for locking is further comprised of a return spring.
 6. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein said semi-circular collar in said means for locking is comprised of a circular collar accommodating a rotation limiting latch pin and two shoulder stops, wherein one of said shoulder stop limits movement of said shaft in the counter-clockwise direction and the other said shoulder stop limits movement of said shaft in the clockwise direction.
 7. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein the rotation of said second handle is in the range of approximately 20 degrees and 60 degrees.
 8. A cookware article of claim 2 wherein said means for locking is detachable from said cookware. 